Unknown Number: I have unlimited resources, Greyson Rose, and trust me if you were going to have someone stalk you, it's better that it's me. So why didn't you drive it? Would it have taken too much time away from yelling at me if you had to park first? ; )
My lips smirked up before I could control it. I glanced around and didn't see Richard, so I responded instantly.
Me: Oh really, why on earth would I want you as my stalker? Yes-that was valuable yelling time I would have lost if I had to find parking at that time of day. Not to mention my car's dead.
The moment I pressed send I heard my name and I immediately jumped.
"Grey darling, are you coming to bed?"
"Um, yes honey, just drinking some water. Can I get you anything?"
"Bring me a glass when you come to bed too, okay, honey?" I nodded even though he couldn't see me; my eyes darting incessantly toward my phone, waiting for my next response.
"Of course, be there in a minute."
Richard replied but my phone buzzed at the same time and that was the only thing I heard.
Unknown Number: Tsk tsk tsk … You should get that fixed.
Me: I'm taking care of it.
I filled up my glass once more to take into the room. Just as I finished my phone chirped again.
Unknown Number: And in response to your other question-you should want me as a stalker because I will always make sure you are safe. Nothing would ever happen to you with me around.
The butterflies in my gut did a somersault. I couldn't hear this right now. I'm supposed to hate Stefan for everything he did and even more-everything he didn't. It was time to stop this conversation and get my head out of the clouds.
Me: You don't have to worry about me. Not only can I take care of myself, but my fiancé will keep me safe.
With that I slipped my phone into my pocket and took the glass into the bedroom. Richard was already lying in bed, reading the same book he had been for months. As I entered, he looked up and smiled at me.
"Thank you, baby," he said, reaching for the glass. Our lips touched in a soft peck before I headed to the dresser to change and he went back to his book. When I took my phone out of my pocket, I couldn't help but notice the blinking indicator of another message. Despite everything telling me to ignore it-I couldn't.
That one last text brought a tear to my eye and made me feel sick to my stomach. Not because of what was said, but the way that it made me feel.
Unknown Number: I don't have to but I always will. I meant what I said, you will always be important to me, and I will always protect you.
I knew right then and there that I needed to cut all contact with Stefan once and for all. I had moved on, and it was time to face the reality that Stefan was my past and Richard was my future.
Sometime around 8:00 the next morning I felt Richard give me a kiss goodbye. In my half-asleep state, I asked where he was going and learned he had a meeting. I tried getting out of bed to walk him to the door, but he insisted I go back to sleep-that was the last thing I remembered. Well, at least I tried to be the good fiancée for a few minutes. But the traces of a hangover were oncoming, and sleep was the only thing that would kill that.
Beep … beep … .beep …
I tried to shush the annoying noises surrounding me, but once again they rang out. The sounds were coming from outside, so naturally I rolled to my side with my back facing the window. Not only did the sounds persist, but two different male voices traveled up to my ears. Shoving Richard's pillow over my head helped-for about two seconds-before I gave up. My legs flew from the bed and stomped to the window, ready to yell down at whoever was making such a racket. That was when I saw the cause of the noise-not only was it two dirty looking men hooking up a car to their tow truck-it was my car!
It didn't matter that my hair was tied in a messy bun at the top of my head or that my cotton pajama shorts and tank top were practically see through, I ran out of the house and charged for them. The two were joking and laughing about something until the pudgier of the two saw me storming towards them. He paled as if he saw a ghost, while the other continued the story about his night without realizing the change in demeanor of his partner in crime.
"What in the hell do you think you are doing?!" I barked out, my hands thrust onto my hips, giving my anger a bigger boost behind it.
The gangly one finally looked over and stared at me with his mouth hanging wide, not even reacting when the cigarette slipped from his lips.
"This is my car!" I yelled out since neither knew how to speak suddenly.